3 ways to serve the Parkinson’s community on MLK Day

3 ways to serve the Parkinson’s community on MLK Day

MLK Day is a federal holiday designated as a day of service. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we came up with some fun and easy ways to support the Parkinson’s community.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday (#MLKDay) is considered a day of service?

The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began shortly after his assassination in 1968. But it wasn’t until 1983 that President Ronald Reagan signed it into law.

In 1994, Congress designated MLK Day as a national day of service. That means that every year, on the third day of Monday, federal organizations, nonprofits, schools and some businesses have a free day to go out and serve their communities.

In other words, MLK Day is supposed to be observed as a “day on” as opposed to a “day off.” It’s a day when we should all do something meaningful to make the world a better place.

This can be anything from picking up litter along the highway to volunteering at a homeless shelter to adopting a new best friend from the humane society or simply just donating to a nonprofit whose mission you feel passionate about.

When it comes to serving our communities, we’re only limited by our imaginations.

Don’t forget the Parkinson’s community on MLK Day

Not everyone gets the day off from work on MLK Day, unfortunately. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a “day on” to serve our communities! This year, why not join Brian Grant in supporting the Parkinson’s community?

Whether you are living with Parkinson’s yourself or have a loved one with PD, getting involved with the Brian Grant Foundation is an easy way to show your support for the millions of people around the world who are battling this disease.

Here are three easy ways to serve the Parkinson’s community through BGF:

1. Commit to helping others improve their health and well-being.

Research has shown that sticking to a nutritious diet and vigorous exercise routine will improve motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’ and slow down disease progression. If you have a loved one that’s living with the disease, help them learn more about the fundamentals of exercising with Parkinson’s by trying out one of our fitness videos. You can also look for organizations in your local area, such as community centers or assisted living residences, where you can volunteer to help support people living with Parkinson’s.

2. Join us at a Brian Grant Foundation event.

We are always hosting, sponsoring or attending classes that help improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease through fitness and nutrition. Check out our events at www.briangrant.org/events to find activities where you can volunteer, attend or support someone you know who is living with Parkinson’s. We also like to throw fun parties to raise money for Parkinson’s programs and we rely on volunteers to help us out. Check out the events we have planned for 2019!

3. Donate to the Brian Grant Foundation.

Help us provide tools to improve the well-being of people with Parkinson’s by making a tax-deductible online donation today. You could also support our programs through an easy, automated monthly donation. You can cancel or change your monthly donation at any time.

Service is the best way to honor King and support his message

When you think about it, serving the community on MLK Day is exactly what Dr. King would have wanted us to do. He once said, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all. He encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence.

King taught us that when people gather together to engage in community action in meaningful ways through a message of love—not hate—then, and only then, can we break down social barriers and build safer, stronger communities.

There are two easy ways to unite Americans of all ages and backgrounds and bring them together for the common good. One is voting. The other is volunteering. Exercise your right to do both.